Sip, clip, and go!https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com
Cycling, off and on the road, in Western MassTue, 17 Feb 2015 12:57:31 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngSip, clip, and go!https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com
Making Plans 2015https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/making-plans-2015/
https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/making-plans-2015/#commentsTue, 17 Feb 2015 03:24:06 +0000http://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/?p=4220]]>I make a lot of plans when it comes to cycling. I’m really good at that. This year, I need to improve on execution.

It’s not that I don’t ride a lot, but in the world of cyclists, I don’t ride as much as some. That’s not my fault entirely–I do the best I can with my schedule. But when I do ride, I need to get more out of it.

Head down, time to work.

I also need to get more disciplined in the kitchen. This is tougher for me, but getting easier the more I make the effort.

Since time is my biggest enemy, causing me to 1.) not spend the kind of time I’d like to on the bike and 2.) not have the time to shop for and prepare decent healthy meals. I also not the most inspired chef. But mostly, it’s the time that’s working against me.

To combat this–I’ve killed some time sucks. OK, maybe that’s harsh. First-I’ve closed my online business. I loved doing it, but it demanded a lot of time and energy. I already work full time and parent full time, a side business demanding what little time was left. Second, I’ve been getting more organized–throwing out stuff, donating clothing and books and other stuff to worthwhile charities. This feels good in lots of ways. Less stuff to manage, and someone who needs my gently worn stuff gets it free or for very cheap. Good mojo.

Keep things simple, then I can focus on the things I want. This is my strategy for 2015.

Priorities remain, in this order

1.) Fun

2.) Strength & Fitness

3.) Get Fast(er)(ish)

5.) Make new friends, see old friends.

6.) Race a bunch!

5.) Explore new roads, trails, places, worlds.

I can’t wait to get started. Now if I can just get this snow to melt…

See you on the road,

-Karen

]]>https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/making-plans-2015/feed/1Screen Shot 2015-02-16 at 10.13.46 PMKarenScreen Shot 2015-02-16 at 10.20.59 PMTop Ten Ways to Cope with Not Riding Your Bike in the Wintertimehttps://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/top-ten-ways-to-cope-with-not-riding-your-bike-in-the-wintertime/
https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/top-ten-ways-to-cope-with-not-riding-your-bike-in-the-wintertime/#commentsMon, 16 Feb 2015 03:01:23 +0000http://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/?p=4215]]>The snow is deep here in the Northeast. We all stopped counting how many feet once we hit 3 or 4. Boston has 8, Whatever. It’s hard. No one cares enough anymore to run out for bread and milk with each weekly snow event. Even if you’re hardy, and have a fat bike, the extreme cold and -20 degree wind chills will keep you indoors.

Here are some of the ways I’m trying to keep busy.

10.) Surf for bike stuff online. Post holiday sales, clearance bins, returned items. There are deals to be had.

9.) Log on to Bikereg. Every. Single. Day. Plan your race calendar for Spring and Summer. Check to see if they have added new races to that one free weekend you have in June (they haven’t).

8.) Research segments on Strava to check out when the snow melts.

7.) Go to your LBS and talk to the shop guys (and gals) every weekend. They are bored too. There are also great deals there (always support your LBS!)

5.) Go to a bike maintenance clinic at your LBS and learn some new skills, meet some new friends.

4.) Rent a Fat Bike!

3.) Go overboard with homemade baked goods.

2.) Build that bike you’ve been dreaming about…….I did!

1.) Blog your frustrations away….

Pray for Spring friends.

-Karen

]]>

https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/top-ten-ways-to-cope-with-not-riding-your-bike-in-the-wintertime/feed/0Screen Shot 2015-02-15 at 9.57.44 PMKarenScreen Shot 2015-02-15 at 9.51.56 PMScreen Shot 2015-02-15 at 9.35.14 PMHappy New Year! Welcome to Your Mid-Life Crisis :)https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/happy-new-year-welcome-to-your-mid-life-crisis/
https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/happy-new-year-welcome-to-your-mid-life-crisis/#commentsWed, 14 Jan 2015 00:16:17 +0000http://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/?p=4200]]>OK, maybe I’ve been in crisis for a little while now. New Years resolutions notwithstanding, I’ve been setting all kinds of goals for myself the last few years, mostly because I realize that if not now, when? Guys, I’m 44 and not getting any younger. That doesn’t mean I can’t be fit and halfway decent on a bike, but it takes a little more work, a little more time, and demands a little more recovery.

During Christmas I was at a party and got chatting with a beautifully exotic couple–urban-bohemian artists who raise chickens and sculpt art for Sir Paul McCartney. She runs. He plays hockey. We talked about these sports we live for. He said, “So typical. We turn 40 and realize we are going to die.” Yup. I’m a middle aged statistic grasping for the remains of my youth. And so what? So will you too, if you’re under 35 and shrugging your shoulders reading this. No one escapes.

Anyway–off the soapbox and onto what I’m doing in 2015. I broad terms, I plan on:

I remember when a 5K foot race in a year was a big deal. I remember when I’d train and look forward to the LIVESTRONG Challenge for most of the year. One event. Now I’m racing a dozen or more times a year. And that’s not to diminish those out there who train for and look forward to that one race you do. That race–it’s a big deal. It was hard. You were nervous about it. You were maybe a little worried, maybe a little excited, maybe a little scared. And afterwards you felt freaking amazing. You did it. All you. And even if you never do another, you did this one and no one can take that away.

I got hooked on that power–that empowerment of completing something physically hard and pushing myself to be better than my last best performance. The only way I can think of to keep that in my life as the sands run down is to keep on doing it.

I don’t know why I feel this nagging pressure–a persistent feeling like it all may end at any moment, but I do. I feel that a lot. I’m not sick. I’m not unhappy. But all of this is so much fun and it’s not something old people do. If I’m going to age, God help me I do not want to get old doing it.

It’s 2015 people. Don’t let it slip away. Get on your bikes and ride! You never get another chance after the day is gone.

-Karen

]]>https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/happy-new-year-welcome-to-your-mid-life-crisis/feed/2P1040598KarenSo long 2014https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/so-long-2014/
https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/so-long-2014/#commentsWed, 31 Dec 2014 03:45:56 +0000http://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/?p=4193]]>This was not the year I had wanted on the bike. But it was a good year, a key, pivotal year for me.

I started with ambitious goals, like I do every year. A full summary can be found here. But to sum up, here is a short excerpt:

My biggest goal for my 2014 Cyclocross Season is a top 50% finish. I know I’m capable of this and I need to set my sights on being fast and strong.

I’m really happy to say, that by the skin of my teeth and thanks to the algorithms at crossresults.com, I finally had a top 50% race finish! Day 1 of CycleSmart International Cyclocross on home-turf (Northampton) was the magic day. I went hard, crashed once, and had a good amount of fun during this race.

But–things pretty much peaked there. I came close to breaking that top 50% barrier at Gloucester, and on Day 2 in Northampton, but in the Open categories and 3/4s, I fell very short. Here are my complete results:

These races had as many as 114 racers (KMC/Providence) or a few as 8. All were hard. I raced–really raced, only 5 of them. I bombed at Cheshire, almost willingly DNFed Big Elm, and struggled at CompEdge & Uncle Sam. Keene hurt the worst, only because I really fought to hold my position. But hands down my favorite race was KMC/Providence, which was huge at 114 racers. It had a double flyover, slippery corners and a world-class course. I just love that race.

I also raced in Gill, MA at Bubba’s Xmas CX, which was an unofficial race. Ironically, the crash I had in the snow & mud there left me with a probable broken rib. I haven’t been to the doctor and don’t plan to go, but it’s been 2 1/2 weeks and everything else is healed up except the ribs. I hope it feels better before Scrub Zone Nationals on January 11th.

I often compare myself to fellow racers in New England, and the women’s scene has really skyrocketed here over the past couple of years. And with a racing age of 45, the competition keeps getting younger and faster. But thankfully I have USA Cycling to stroke my delicate ego:

Top 50% in Mass! Higher everywhere else but with such a strong concentration of cyclocross talent in Mass and New England I’m extra proud of my state rank for cat 4. Especially since I’m old enough to be Mom to many of my competitors.

This year I transitioned into a new position with a great company–and my focus on cycling took a backseat to this mid fall. I’m still settling in and very happy with the move, and once I hit my stride at work I will be able to refocus on my cycling goals and racing both cyclocross and a couple of mountain bike races too. Onward to 2015!

]]>https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/12/29/2014-in-review/feed/2KarenDNFing @ Bubba’shttps://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/12/14/dnfing-bubbas/
https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/12/14/dnfing-bubbas/#commentsMon, 15 Dec 2014 00:27:00 +0000http://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/?p=4179]]>Today was the Bubba Xmas CX race in Gill, MA. It was a race, but not really a race–the organizer cancelled it due to snow and downed trees on the property after a good bit of weather. Our money was refunded and an “at your own risk” race was held instead. Since there were only 11 total racers pre-reg’d, this was more of an informal, connect with your local cycling community event. Very low key and small. All the pressure was off for this one, and I was happy to check out this somewhat local course.

Jon O was smart enough to bring the mtb.

I arrived 10 minutes before start time and got about a half a lap preride in before beginning. Heather and I both lined up in the rear. The men took off and quickly formed a single thread of riders. The course was treacherous in some places. The flat parts in the center field had a few inches of snow to grind through. Finding a line in the snow was a crapshoot. The woods were pretty straightforward. A little muddy and greasy in the corners but manageable. The singletrack by the river had icy descents that threatened to dump you in the the drink if you didn’t have the bike handling skills. My first lap I took very easy.

There was a long hill with a gnarly descent at the start of the second lap. There were a few descents which prompted me to get down in the drops for better brake control and keep my ass off the saddle and as far back as I could manage for balance. Many parts of the course favored a mountain bike, and a few guys had the presence of mind to bring theirs. Cross bikes worked, but probably weren’t the best tool for the job.

The only pavement there.

My second lap went better, and faster, although I was not going race speed. The snow made that impossible, really, and the course conditions were dicey enough to warrant caution. I concentrated on my “smooth is fast” mantra and started clearing sections I previously dismounted for. I was shocked when I made it through the mud section on the banks of the river without a single dismount. I was starting to have some fun, and the course was exactly what I like–technical. Things were definitely improving, and I was feeling decent when I started lap 3 (with 4 to go….)

That’s when the crash happened.

There was a long hill after an icy bridge, some loose rock where there wasn’t snow and ice, and then thick mud. I dismounted and ran (ok, walked) the bike here. I did not remount at the crest of the hill, because the conditions of the descent was just a little too sketchy for a “fun” race. I walked it down to a semi flat section about halfway down the hill, then remounted and pointed my front wheel forward. Before I knew what was happening, the bike slide out from underneath me and I slammed down hard on the side of the hill. It took me a moment to collect myself–I was a bit dazed and I wasn’t sure I wasn’t seriously hurt. My head had hit the ground hard and I felt my helmet catch the impact. I was shaken up, and it took me a moment or two to get to my feet and clear my bike from the course. When I got clear, another rider crashed in the exact same spot–except he hopped up unharmed and kept going. I considered for a split second continuing, but I felt shaken up enough that I decided to just head back to the fire burning in an old oil barrel at the start line.

Heather, who had abandoned after the first 100 feet of the race in favor of spectating saw me walking my bike back and came to intercept me. I hadn’t noticed my chain had dropped from the crash. The entire left side of my body was coated in mud from my upper shoulder down to my ankle. I knew I was OK–but not really OK enough to jump back in the action. We waited for the guys to finish next to the fire.

Sliding down a muddy hill will rip your number off.

This race wasn’t official, didn’t count for anything but fun, good practice and a reason to socialize with your selected cycling tribe. I had that in mind the whole time. But I was still second guessing my decision to stop. I had a lousy race at Cheshire and had wanted this to be fun, but redeeming. Although I know I made the right decision, I had wanted a different outcome. When I got home, I examined my helmet and found it had cracked it from the impact. I knew I banged my upper thigh pretty good but the circle of pain had many friends who have now made their presence known. My knee, upper thigh, lower glute, shoulder and the palm of my right hand has a purple lump growing on it. I’m sore all over from the body slam from mother earth. But it’s my ego that still suffers the most…..

Thanks to Heather for being my cheering squad and riding over from her house to watch the carnage. And thanks for making sure I got home ok!

There is still Scrub Zone Nationals on January 11th. I might need to wait until then for redemption

-Karen

]]>https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/12/14/dnfing-bubbas/feed/0KarenJon O was smart enough to bring the mtb.The only pavement there.Sliding down a muddy hill will rip your number off.crackedCX Season Ain’t Over Yethttps://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/cx-season-aint-over-yet/
https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/cx-season-aint-over-yet/#commentsTue, 09 Dec 2014 03:54:21 +0000http://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/?p=4168]]>It was 13 F degrees this morning when I woke up. I have patches of lawn showing through the snow outside my window, and if the wind blows, your face turns to wood in under a minute. The cold enough to drive the heartiest New Englander inside to a roaring fire, a tattered quilt and fond memories of mud and tearing quads to warm the soul. But it’s only December 8th, and it’s not over until it’s over.

The race schedule for #NECX is still pretty healthy. Here’s the rundown for coming weeks:

This is the time of year when #NECX starts to let it’s hair down. Ice Weasels sets the tone as one of the most famous, well attended, and fun CX races. I’ve never been but the mythological proportions of this race are all over the interwebs. March Farms is a new race. I was planning on going. I still might. Or I might finish my Christmas shopping-I haven’t decided yet. I have, however, signed up for Bubba CX. It’s only 25 miles away and I can’t beat that with a stick. It’s going to be a small race, but fun. So far only me and Heather have signed up for the women’s race….and as much as I like riding with Heather I hope we get a few more.

The DAS Beaver CX is also this weekend, and if Bubba wasn’t happening, I’d be there. It’s a little further away but I had the BEST time at BeaverCX last year. The pickle and grannie panty hand-ups are not to be missed. Last year, Elvis raced-in the snow. What could be better?

Pretty. Average.

Elm City is next weekend, and a little too far away and a little too close to the holiday for me. What I’m really looking forward is Scrub Zone Nationals. Another brainchild of @resultsboy who also birthed the entire Weasels series, as well as creating the website I spend silly amounts of time obsessing on, crossresults.com. Scrub Zone is for all of us NOT going to Nationals. Because, you know, we suck. So this race is for us. I haven’t signed up yet, but I’m thinking, yes, sign up Karen, it’s your last chance for a B category CX race for another 9 months. Take it.

10.) For cycling! It’s been there for me during some of the toughest parts of my life. It smooths my rough edges, and makes me a better person, keeps me in shape, calms and mellows me in ways no drug can. I derive so much joy from cycling in nearly all it’s disciplines, I cannot express my gratitude enough for the sport.

9.) Lara bars. These have been a key addition to my nutrition routine. Gluten free, diary free, soy free, all natural, all awesome and freaking delicious. I’m so happy I discovered them.

8.) My helmet. I’m always amazed when I see someone riding without on. I haven’t had to use it yet but I know eventually, it will save my noggin. I thank my helmet in advance. Wear one!

7.) Strava. Social, competitive, and with amazing amounts of data. I have no idea how I existed before Strava!

6.) Full fingered cycling gloves. Yup, used them the last 2 races because it’s that cold already. Makes all the difference.

5.) My new workplace. There are 2, count em, 2 guys there who are avid cyclists that I can geek out with.

2.) My girlfriend, who drives me crazy sometimes (so I return the favor). But, she reliably supports my cycling by watching my son and pushes me out the door so I get my bike ride, and who has single-handedly equipped me with most of the cool cycling gear like my Garmin, my Contour video cam (which yes I need to actually use), a few of my kits, and my road ID.

1.) My sweet, kind, good natured and compassionate son. He amazes me daily with his surprising wit, his consideration of others, and his internal sense of kindness and justice. He makes me proud every single day–which sounds like a commonly expressed sentiment, but it’s true. I beam. I’m most grateful for him.

Happy Thanksgiving 2014 everyone!

-Karen

]]>https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/thankful-cycling-my-top-ten-this-thanksgiving/feed/0KarenMonday Morning Quarterbacking, Cyclocross Stylehttps://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/monday-morning-quarterbacking-cyclocross-style/
https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/monday-morning-quarterbacking-cyclocross-style/#commentsTue, 18 Nov 2014 04:10:32 +0000http://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/?p=4162]]>One more month of cyclocross left, and I’m looking for a redemption race. No grandiose dreams of podiums, just my dignity. I don’t mind placing last or close to last if I leave it all out there on the course. But I didn’t bring anything to leave.

If this were a line graph, it would be going in the wrong direction.

The Cheshire CX Course.

Results were posted today from Cheshire, and I placed 14 of 15. I haven’t done that poorly in a race since my very first one. What the hell happened to me out there? The lungs were definitely compromised, but looking at my specific results from the last 3 years, my best overall was when I got started in this sport 3 years ago. My very best lap time was from last year, and my absolute worst performance was from 3 days ago.

Reflecting, I wasn’t totally focused on the race. I’m not in crisis nor have anything distracting happening in my life, I just wasn’t amped up. It was cold. Like, really cold. My lungs did crap out on me in a pretty terrific way. Still–with all these things, I still should have done better.

And it’s not like these are fast times to begin with, but I always seek to improve, and this data shows no improvement. Quite the opposite.

Also, and quite curious, is the fact that in 2012, I was racing on the Specialized Tricross–which is an awesome bike, but it weighed 25 lbs, which might as well been a million lbs. What’s up with that? Maybe the weight of it helped me bomb down the hills faster–I don’t know.

I could drive myself and anyone around me crazy with my constant questioning, analysis, and self scrutiny, but that won’t do any good. Time to move forward to another venue, with a stronger effort.

]]>https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/monday-morning-quarterbacking-cyclocross-style/feed/0KarenThe Cheshire CX Course.Cheshire CX 2014 Race Reporthttps://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/cheshire-cx-2014-race-report/
https://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/cheshire-cx-2014-race-report/#commentsMon, 17 Nov 2014 02:04:24 +0000http://sipclipandgo.wordpress.com/?p=4156]]>I’ve always really liked the course at Cheshire. There’s a lot of woods time, and enough off the bike action to keep anyone happy. But yesterday, I had a less than stellar performance at Cheshire CX.

They started the women together with the Pro-3’s staged first, and the 3/4s behind them, to start a minute later. I just barely got a position on the front row, seeded 8th of the 16 who pre-registered. My start was decent enough for the first 100 feet, but after the first turn the next straightaway before entering the woods left me quite in the dust. I gulped the cold air in (about 38 degrees) and my lungs seized before the first run-up. I spent the next 2 laps not riding, but drowning. I don’t mean to be gross, but the cold was such a shock to my lungs they filled with fluid. I could not clear it fast enough. This has happened before at this race–it’s just that time of year and my lungs froze up.

The trails were much harder packed than I remembered–they almost seemed groomed to me. I moved through the woods alright–not as fast as I would have liked but the technical sections were fine. I finally reached the 80 meter hill, AKA Heckler’s Hill, AKA “The People’s Hill,” I think I heard it referred to a few other nicknames. The first 2 times up I was DYING. There was a person dressed as a cross between a teddy bear and Chewbacca, (or maybe an Ewok?) and I thought I saw the Easter Bunny… but I had my head down for most of it as I was off the bike and pushing upward. Drums beat loudly. Spectators leaned in and screamed in my ears. I was offered a San Pellegrino hand up (what, no beer? So disappointing). By the time I reached the top, I was light-headed and starry-eyed, and not because I was in love with that hill. Involuntarily, I slowed. I had to. I just wasn’t getting enough oxygen. I wasn’t really racing, I was just riding-just surviving. I didn’t want it to be like this, but it was.

By the 3rd lap, I was riding better. My lungs were a bit more under control and I just tried to ride well. I had been lapped by most of the Pro field and at least 1 cat 3 woman. Definitely not my day out there. I kind of knew it would be that way going in, too. I’ve ridden 10 miles in 2 weeks, which is a big problem. It was pretty cold yesterday, and I usually adjust well to colder temps, but I haven’t made the switch yet. I also crashed twice. Minor crashes, nothing serious but enough to slow me down enough to be passed by a rider I probably could have held off otherwise. Meh. I can’t worry about it too much. I’m 44 years old and doing this crazy sport for fun. And the race–it was fun. But I have a lot more fun when I’m really racing, when I’m physically performing, and this time, I just wasn’t.

So now, I have to find a race to do between now and the end of the season to end on a high note. I’m considering one or 2 other races….but the fields are tough, they just keep getting younger and faster, and I just keep getting older and slower. Maybe it’s time to get serious with that trainer in the basement.

Mo Bruno Roy in her Stars & Stripe National Champ Singlespeed kit, tearing up the course.

On another note; the race was PACKED. This is my 3rd year doing this race and I have never seen so many people. They had fires going which took the chill off when you got close enough to them. The costumes were a blast and they had a huge turnout for the Singlespeed Race. As a bonus, Cyclocross Singlespeed National Champion, the one and only, Mo Bruno Roy raced. So awesome. I met Mo a couple of years ago and she is super nice, and I found out we are from the same town originally (she moved when she was still a kid). Anyway–any cyclist with a Boston accent is OK in my book :) I got a few pics of her in her stars and stripes kit. And the race announcers did an excellent job calling the race, keeping it lively with a professional feel.

No, it wasn’t my day at Cheshire yesterday–but still a great race, and growing in popularity. Put it on your list for next year if you can!